Cider Chat

Interviewing cidermakers importers, orchardists, foodies, farmers and cider enthusiasts around the world. Let’s delve into the semantics of cider…or is it hard cider, cidre, sidra or fermented apple juice? The truth is out there in Ciderville and we are going to find it. We toast in celebration of cider; As a libation, a gift from the gods, a taste of terroir, and a hard pressed good time. Ready to quench your thirst? Grab a glass and join this chat! See you in Ciderville!

Three guys and an endless supply of credit cards helped build what is today called Artisan Beverage Cooperative (ARTBEV) in Greenfield, Massachusetts. General Manager and co founder Garth Shandyfelt provides an overview on how ARTBEV grew plus;

working in a cooperative

getting capital to expand via a direct public offer of stock

what is mead

what is cyser

creating a sustainable model for growth

Started in 2010 making mead, ARTBEV's multi tiered business now produces a range of products to keep stock rolling out the door. Mead and Cyser, for instance, can take upwards to a year or longer to condition, whereas the Ginger Libation made by ARTBEV can be made in two weeks, much like beer.

What is Mead?

Fermented Water, Honey and Yeast or what Garth calls wine made with honey.

"It is a mead if you have more than 50% of your fermentable made with honey."

A Braggot is a beer made with honey and cider

What is Cyser or Cyzer (as ARTBEV calls it - go to 1 hour in on the podcast and find out why)

A cider made with some amount of cider during initial fermentation.

Some cider has honey added for sweetening, but may not be considered a cyser.

How much honey does ARTBEV use yearly?

Upwards to 6000 pounds of honey all delivered via 5 gallon buckets

How much honey do you need to make a 5-gallon batch of mead?

You will need upwards to 12-15 pounds of honey for a 5 gallon batch.

Garth was inspired by Dan Conlon is a key figure in New England working with bees at Warm Colors Apiary.